Sharjah City Municipality recently honoured 15 winners in the 17th edition of the Best Garden Award, themed "My Garden, My Sharjah," during a ceremony held in Aljada, Sharjah. The event, attended by Sheikh Majid bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Suburbs and Villages Affairs Department, celebrated the contributions of garden owners to the city's aesthetic appeal and green spaces.
The ceremony also saw the presence of His Excellency Salem Ali Al Muhairi, Chairman of the Sharjah City Municipal Council, His Excellency Obaid Saeed Al Tunaiji, Director-General of Sharjah City Municipality, along with strategic partners, media partners, event sponsors, municipal officials, council members, and representatives from various government departments.
His Excellency Obaid Saeed Al Tunaiji highlighted that the award aligns with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah. The initiative aims to promote agriculture, expand green spaces, and implement agricultural projects. It also encourages citizens to engage in gardening by providing necessary resources and support, thus contributing to Sharjah's distinctive global position in agricultural excellence.
Since its inception in 2003, the award has achieved considerable success, attracting wide public participation. It encourages community members to creatively design gardens, fostering competition and innovation. Participants are urged to use modern irrigation techniques, water conservation methods, shading techniques, and solar energy while ensuring garden safety and security.
Al Tunaiji emphasized that the Municipality supports the public in gardening efforts by providing seedlings from its nurseries, which offer a variety of plants, trees, shrubs, and flowers. This support aims to realize the emirate's vision of creating a sustainable and high-quality living environment, expanding green spaces, and enhancing the city's visual and cultural appeal.
Engineer Khalifa bin Hadda Al Suwaidi, Director of Technical Services and Head of the Award Team, noted that the 15 winners were selected across various categories, including natural style, geometric style, and creative style. The award received 59 applications, demonstrating its impact on encouraging public participation in home garden design and cultivation.
Al Suwaidi explained that all participating gardens were evaluated based on established criteria and award categories, with field visits conducted for assessment and winner selection.